Basking Bulbs

I'm having rotten luck with basking bulbs. Do you have a favorite brand/type?

I'm also not interested in under tank heaters. I've done my research and even our vet doesn't like them.

I use a ceramic bulb.

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Originally Posted by tszutk

I've done my research and even our vet doesn't like them.

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Husbandry is not always about what we like. ;)

I would look into a regulated CHE.

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Originally Posted by tszutk

I'm having rotten luck with basking bulbs. Do you have a favorite brand/type?

I'm also not interested in under tank heaters. I've done my research and even our vet doesn't like them.

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I can tell you from personal experience that bulbs of all varieties are dang hard to keep the temps right and will melt a pvc/plastic enclosures far quicker than under the tank heaters. I tried bulbs and I absolutely hate them, and have sprung for a really good thermostat and will be using under tank heaters until I get my rack set up and flexwatt installed.

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Originally Posted by tszutk

I'm having rotten luck with basking bulbs. .............

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How so? Please elaborate

They always seem to burn out really quickly. I'm trying the ceramic bulbs and they seem to be working really well!

I haven't had burnouts in well over a year and a half since I added dimmers to all of the lamps. The key was to use 150 watt bulbs and run them at around 40-60%.
This way the filaments don't get as hot and burn out.

Where as before, I was replacing them every 1-3 months.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...7018208f82.jpg

I also use bulbs, I never turn them off. I believe that also increases their life span.:)

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Originally Posted by Sonny1318

I also use bulbs, I never turn them off. I believe that also increases their life span.:)

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I agree! :gj:

All bulbs will burn out within a few months. Just the nature of the beast. Use a CHE or RHP on a t-stat if you want overheat heating.

As for UTH aka heat tapes like Flexwatt, there is nothing wrong with them if you use them the right way. They MUST be t-stat regulated like any heat source. You also cant expect to pack down inches of substrate. Also cant expect them to heat the air. You have to know what their use is and what their limits are. That is why a lot of people who use Flexwatt also either have warm rooms or run oil heaters. I personally use flexwatt on all my snakes except one who has a RHP and I love the Flexwatt a lot better. I do keep my house fairly warm though and if it gets really cold out, I got an oil heater I drag out and put in the center of the room. I don't know your vet but I fail to understand why he/she doesn't like them unless he/she doesn't know their use and limits.

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Originally Posted by Sauzo

All bulbs will burn out within a few months. Just the nature of the beast. Use a CHE or RHP on a t-stat if you want overheat heating..............

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Normally yes, however I had FOUR tanks go over 1.5 years without burning out the bulbs that were on dimmers. I still don't know the life of 3 bulbs because I replaced 3 of the tanks with plastic enclosures.

Normally yes, however I currently only have 1 tank, thus one bulb, but it is about to be replaced soon as well. It would have interesting to see what the life of those bulbs are. Those dimmers paid for themselves many times over.

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...4f606ebd6b.png

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Originally Posted by Reinz

I had FOUR tanks go over 1.5 years without burning out the bulbs that were on dimmers. I still don't know the life of 3 bulbs because I replaced 3 of the tanks with plastic enclosures.

I currently only have 1 tank, thus one bulb, but it is about to be replaced soon as well. It would have interesting to see what the life of those bulbs are. Those dimmers paid for themselves many times over.

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Well probably the lower voltage than the filament was designed to handle prolonged the life but dang 1.5 years!!? I get probably about 6-8 months with my heat lamps on dimmers for Harley. I just go with 150 watt ones and dim them down about halfway or so.

Didn't see the boa pic. You are using a heat lamp for a boa........you are so dead to me :D

Yes, that's the key, going with a larger wattage and dimming down.

Haha, Butch was happy to get this heat. He was a rescue that never had any heat at all.

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Originally Posted by tszutk

even our vet doesn't like them.

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Can you elaborate as to why?

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Originally Posted by shelpen

Can you elaborate as to why?

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Probably because of the lack of knowledge of proper use.

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Originally Posted by PitOnTheProwl

Probably because of the lack of knowledge of proper use.

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That was my first thought when I saw that.

The vet has probably seen more snake burns with people placing the lamps within tanks without protective shielding than other choices.

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Originally Posted by Reinz

Yes, that's the key, going with a larger wattage and dimming down.

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Reinz, you inspired me. Zoo med 100 infrared bulbs dimmed down. Upgrade from my red 60's. 😂 They should sap a little less humidity, hopefully.

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Originally Posted by Sonny1318

Reinz, you inspired me. Zoo med 100 infrared bulbs dimmed down. Upgrade from my red 60's. 😂 They should sap a little less humidity, hopefully.

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I sure hope you the results that I did. Please let us know when you see the benefit.